Chapter 918 - 884: Everyone Is Very Polite

Shu Yuanhang saw the beautiful woman entering from outside and immediately realized she was here to see Xu Chunliang. Anyway, every girl Xu Chunliang knows is prettier than the last. Although Xiahou Mulan wasn’t wearing any branded clothes, she dressed elegantly and appropriately. Due to her attire’s somewhat neutral style, it showcased a dashing charm, making her stand out among the artificial beauties and leaving a lasting impression.

The buzzword these days would describe her as ’natural beauty with memorable features,’ clearly not one of those mass-produced silicone dolls. With the advancement in cosmetic surgery, there are more pretty faces, but also more people unable to distinguish between them.

Shu Yuanhang gave Xu Chunliang a knowing glance. Xu Chunliang turned and saw Xiahou Mulan truly coming over. He waved enthusiastically, "Mulan, over here."

Xiahou Mulan found his smile quite infectious. Seeing his harmless smile and hearing his affectionate greeting, whatever irritation she had left vanished. She couldn’t quite understand why she was so lenient with Xu Chunliang, possibly because of the special bond they shared, which made her not mind him calling her Mulan.

Some things are indeed hard to explain. Even though he found her weak point and she had a hold on him, by the end of it, she felt as if she was in the wrong.

Xu Chunliang stood up to invite Xiahou Mulan to sit, then introduced her to Shu Yuanhang.

Shu Yuanhang said, "Miss Xiahou, sorry about the shabby surroundings."

Xiahou Mulan smiled gracefully and said, "No need to be so polite, Brother Shu. I actually like these local specialties the most."

Shu Yuanhang asked the owner to tear up half a chicken. The small shop didn’t have many dishes, so he went next door to get some specialty barbecue. After all, Dongzhou is famous for it. Even though Dongzhou Barbecue City became a blunder in Dongzhou’s cultural and tourism development history, Dongzhou Barbecue didn’t lose its charm. BBQ joints on every corner still thrived.

Xiahou Mulan felt a bit embarrassed and quietly asked Xu Chunliang, "You didn’t tell me there were others here; am I interrupting your drink?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "No, do you drink?"

Xiahou Mulan paused and asked in return, "Can I drink?"

"Why can’t you drink?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "I’d better not." She asked for a bottle of mineral water. She had taken an emergency contraceptive but vomited it out shortly after. Xiahou Mulan was worried if she might be pregnant; she thought about the possibility of an abortion, but maybe she’d dodge this bullet anyway? Thinking of Xu Chunliang’s vigor, she felt the possibility of avoiding it was slim. She decided to take it one step at a time and not think too much.

Shu Yuanhang returned with the barbecues and asked Xiahou Mulan, "Miss Xiahou, are you in the pharmaceutical industry?"

Xiahou Mulan nodded, "Mainly in the cultivation and processing of Chinese medicine." She took out a cardholder from her canvas bag and handed Shu Yuanhang a business card.

Shu Yuanhang said, "Mulan Chinese Herbal Medicine Planting Base, I think I’ve heard of it. Your base is quite large, isn’t it?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "It’s alright." She was being modest. The Mulan Chinese Herbal Medicine Planting Base was among the top ten in the country, although the base was more of a front.

Xu Chunliang raised his glass, "Welcome to Dongzhou for an inspection."

Xiahou Mulan said, "I’m here for some business and conveniently brought my car back."

Xu Chunliang laughed; Xiahou Mulan was straightforward.

Shu Yuanhang could tell that their relationship was more than just ordinary friends, as Xu Chunliang claimed. Xu Chunliang’s behavior was nothing special, but from the way Xiahou Mulan looked at him, something unusual was apparent. Shu Yuanhang had no intention of being the third wheel, so he used tutoring his son at home as an excuse to leave first.

After Shu Yuanhang left, Xiahou Mulan felt more comfortable and heaved a sigh of relief, saying, "Dr. Shu seems nice."

Xu Chunliang said, "A top thoracic surgery expert in Asia; if you need anything, I can help."

Xiahou Mulan said, "Can’t you say something nice to me?"

Xu Chunliang lifted his glass, "Wishing you forever health and forever beauty."

Xiahou Mulan clinked the bottle of mineral water with his, "Though you’re a bit hypocritical, I’ll accept it."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Thanks for the help with the hospital." Xiahou Mulan promptly sent the car damage compensation to the Infectious Disease Hospital’s account, blocking rumors and cooperated in making it look like they had reached a strategic cooperation.

Xiahou Mulan said, "Didn’t you recognize my voice just now?"

Xu Chunliang said, "We only chat on WeChat. I don’t like voice messages. We never talked on the phone, and you never gave me your phone number. What? Feeling a bit down?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "No, just asking. We’ve only known each other for a short time, so it’s normal you can’t recognize it."

Xu Chunliang nodded, grabbed the wine bottle, and poured another glass, "How about it, have a drink?"

Xiahou Mulan shook her head.

"Don’t you drink, or you just don’t want to?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "I’m quite good at drinking; I just don’t want to."

Xu Chunliang looked at her, bewildered.

Xiahou Mulan said, "It’s not you; it’s just... it’s inconvenient for me right now."

Xu Chunliang seemed to understand, "Got your period?"

Xiahou Mulan blushed, "No." She regretted discussing this with him after saying it.

Xu Chunliang said, "Is that uncomfortable?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "Can you stop asking? You don’t need to worry, I can handle my own affairs."

Xu Chunliang quickly raised his glass, "Okay, let’s drink."

He drained his glass, and Xiahou Mulan picked up the bottle to refill it, "How have you been recently?"

"Recently? We haven’t been apart for many days, have we?"

Xiahou Mulan felt a bit embarrassed, indeed she was making small talk: "I heard that Dongzhou’s medical system is undergoing anti-corruption measures, and quite a few people have been affected."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "I’m in administration, so anti-corruption won’t reach me. I have a clear conscience, and I’m not afraid of anything."

Xiahou Mulan glanced at him, thinking how could he say such a thing?

Xu Chunliang sensed what her look meant, "I separate my public and private life and I never take advantage of public resources."

Xiahou Mulan nodded, "I understand." This guy certainly hasn’t taken public resources, but over the past few days, he’s been taking advantage of me, not only claiming my mystical body but also taking 250,000 yuan from me. Of course, that 250,000 yuan was temporarily advanced, and the insurance company will cover the hole, but some things can be covered, and some can’t.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Have you settled in yet?"

Xiahou Mulan mentioned she was staying at the Marriott near Hidden Dragon Lake.

Xu Chunliang realized it wasn’t far from his home, and Xiahou Mulan could take her car away at any time.

The two chatted intermittently, both holding back somewhat, yet remaining polite.

Just then, two familiar people entered from outside, namely Yu Xiangdong, the Section Chief of Protection at Changxing Hospital, and Wu Fajun, the Vice President of Huanyan Health.

Seeing Xu Chunliang, Wu Fajun’s expression changed dramatically, and upon seeing Xiahou Mulan, he felt a sinking feeling, knowing she was a person of significance in their circle, whom he had met before.

Xu Chunliang knew they had a decent friendship but didn’t expect them to be dining here. Actually, they were at a second venue; Yu Xiangdong heard Wu Fajun was not leaving, and planned a celebration for him.

Upon seeing Xu Chunliang, they couldn’t ignore him, so Yu Xiangdong cheerfully approached, "Director Xu, what a coincidence."

Xu Chunliang said, "Indeed, why are you here to eat?"

Wu Fajun replied, "We just had dinner, but Section Chief Yu wasn’t satisfied with drinks, so he invited me to a second venue."

Xu Chunliang said, "Why don’t you join us?"

Xiahou Mulan looked coldly at Wu Fajun, who didn’t dare sit down and smiled, "We won’t disturb you." He indicated to the waiter that their bill was on him.

Xu Chunliang said, "No need, Dr. Shu has already settled it." He too was almost finished and got up with Xiahou Mulan to leave.

Once outside, Xu Chunliang said, "That Wu Fajun just now is also one of your people."

Xiahou Mulan said, "He counts as a minor head on Dongzhou’s side. Did you learn about me from him?"

Xu Chunliang, seeing her cold gaze, suspected she might harbor murderous intent towards Wu Fajun, and replied with a smile, "No, I tracked Yan Hong and found your hideout, he seemed very afraid of you."

Xiahou Mulan said, "If you already knew his identity, why didn’t you ask him about Wu Yuanyi’s whereabouts?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Wu Yuanyi is extremely cunning; although Wu Fajun is his pawn in Dongzhou, there’s still a lack of trust. Just pretend you never saw him."

Xiahou Mulan retorted, "Why should I listen to you?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Then I’ll listen to you."

Xiahou Mulan paused for a moment, glanced at him sideways; trusting you is a joke. Clearly, he’s playing me, but she didn’t want to spoil Xu Chunliang’s business and replied meaningfully, "It seems Wu Fajun’s under your control."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "You really do understand me better now, seeing through but not speaking out."

Xiahou Mulan said, "You’re ruthless, Wu Fajun can’t compete with you." Actually, not only Wu Fajun, even the cunning Cao Xinwei ended up dead by his hands. Though she always felt superior in intelligence, since knowing him, she realized everything was outclassed by him, ultimately even her body was overpowered.

Xu Chunliang gestured ahead, "I live right over there, want to take a look?" Not waiting for Xiahou Mulan to refuse, he added, "You can take your car away too."

"Is anyone else at home?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Currently, it’s just me."

Xiahou Mulan nodded; she had understood Xu Chunliang’s situation and knew he usually lived with his grandfather. It was better if the elder wasn’t there, to avoid awkwardness.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Is the matter taken care of?"

Xiahou Mulan understood he was referring to the three bodies and softly said, "Dust to dust, earth to earth." In retrospect, Xu Chunliang preventing her from executing Cao Xinwei was very correct. Cao Xinwei caused her parents’ deaths, which were facts, but he also raised her, which was another fact. Over the past twenty years, he crafted an image of a devoted father, and Xiahou Mulan’s mood was still affected in recent times. We aren’t without feelings.